Background

I am Research Director of the Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory (ARRL), a not for profit entity.  I have authored over 130 publications, with more than 6100 citations. I was awarded my PhD in 1996 from the University of Melbourne in Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology. My postdoctoral experience was with the world leading rickettsiologist Dr David Walker in Galveston, Texas, USA.  Following a two year placement I was recruited as the senior scientist at the ARRL in 1998.

Research Focus

We are involved in a number of research projects which include the development of a Q fever vaccines for animal and human use and investigations into the causes of the Lyme like disease in Australia.

 

Awards & Achievements

  • Characterised a number of new rickettsial species of medical importance.
  • Helped to develop and test a new Q fever human vaccine. We have completed animal studies and looking for funding to progress this work to phase 1 clinical trials.
  • Supervised the development and licensing of a goat vaccine for coxiellosis.

About me...

Pets:

 

 I have both a cat and dog and would love to say they love each other but the truth is that they only just tolerate each other.
Footy team:

 

 I’m not going to be popular in Geelong as I support the Collingwood Football Club
Signature dish:

 

 Salmon Teriyaki with a cucumber and peanut salad
Coffee order:

 

 Long black

Feature Publications

  • Stenos J, Ross B, Feng HM, Crocquetvaldes P, Walker D: Protein characterization of Australian spotted fever group rickettsiae and monoclonal typing of Rickettsia honei. Journal of Clinical Microbiology 1997; 35: 261-263.
  • Bouyer DH, Stenos J, Croquet-Valdes P, Moron CG, Popov VL, Zavala-Velazquez JE, Foil LD, Stothard DR, Azad AF, Walker DH. Rickettsia felis: the molecular characterisation of a new member of the spotted fever group. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol (England), Mar 2001, 51(Pt 2) p339-47.
  • Stenos J, Graves SR, Unsworth NB. 2005 A highly sensitive and specific PCR assay for the detection of spotted fever and typhus group rickettsiae.  American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2005: 73(6): 1083-5.
  • Graves SR, Islam A, Webb LD, Marsh I, Plain K, Westman M, Conlan XA, Carbis R, Toman R, Stenos J.  An O-Specific Polysaccharide/Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine Induces Protection in Guinea Pigs against Virulent Challenge with Coxiella burnetii.Vaccines (Basel). 2022 Aug 25;10(9):1393. doi:10.3390/vaccines10091393

How you can help

Participate in a Clinical Trial

To find out about Clinical Trials currently underway at Barwon Health, click here. To learn more about the Adrian Costa Clinical Trials Centre, click here.

Donate

Research requires ongoing investment and there are several ways to support our work. You can make a donation today and contribute to an item on our research group’s wish list, consider a bequest in your will, or establish a lasting legacy fund in your name. No matter what size, your philanthropic support will deliver an immediate impact to this important work. To donate now or for more information, please contact the Barwon Health Foundation.